Abstract

Objectives: Antiretroviral toxicity is an increasingly important issue in the management of HIV-infected patients. The objective of our study was to evaluate the toxicity profile of currently used antiretroviral regimens and to compare these toxicities among males
and females.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis with a one year follow-up was done
at a tertiary care hospital by reviewing the record. Patients who were >18 years of age
attending the hospital and were initiated an antiretroviral drug regimen were included
in the analysis. Data regarding demographic details, medical history, details of human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection including most recent CD4 count, details of
antiretroviral therapy (ART) collected from patient’s records. Adverse drug reactions
were recorded by reviewing patient records.
Result: A total of 99 patients were included in study. Among them, 71 (71.7%) were
males and 28(28.3%) were females. Common adverse effects observed included anemia
(58.6%), pruritus(23.2%), skin rash(18.2%), hypertriglyceridemia(15.2%), and hepatitis
(60.6%), peripheral neuropathy (14.1%). Prevalence of skin rash was more in females
than males, the difference being statistically significant. Pruritus was also commonly
seen in females than males though the difference observed in our study is statistically
insignificant. Hypertriglyceridemia was more in males compared to females, the
difference is statistically significant.
Conclusion: The most common adverse effects associated with currently used ART
regimens are anemia, hepatic toxicity, itching, skin rash, elevated triglycerides, and
peripheral neuropathy. Gender differences were seen mainly with skin rash, which
was significantly more in females.